The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WITH the general election two weeks away, Grand Bahama is festooned with party flags, paraphernalia, posters and billboards of political candidates vying for the five parliamentary seats on the island.

Wherever you look, vehicles, utility poles and trees along major highways have been decorated with political posters to woo voters.

Bahamians will go to the polls on May 10 to elect a government for the next five years. The advanced poll will be held on May 3.

The campaigns are in full swing and candidates are being invited to meet to greet events on Grand Bahama so the people can get to know them on more a personal level.

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has organised one such event at the Pelican Bay Resort scheduled for tonight from 6pm to 8pm.

“All of the candidates will be together in the same place at one time,” said representative Catherine Adderley.

Former United People’s Movement Leader Greg Moss, MP for Marco City, has pulled out of the race.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party and the opposition Free National Movement (FNM) have both dominated the City of Freeport with their yellow and red posters and billboards, especially along Coral Road.

Both parties have held mass rallies in Freeport, drawing large crowds. The Democratic National Alliance will hold an event in Freeport tonight at 7.30pm at the Bain Building on West Atlantic Drive.

Early this week, C A Smith predicted that FNM Leader Hubert Minnis will be the next leader of The Bahamas. Mr Smith, the FNM campaign co-ordinator, is also a former Cabinet minister, ambassador, and Pineridge MP.

“Dr Hubert Minnis has captured the hearts and imagination of the Bahamian people,” he said, after months of nationwide campaigning with Dr Minnis. Mr Smith believes that last Thursday in the nation’s capital marked a critical turning point in the 2017 general election campaign.

“The Free National Movement held its first mass rally and the Progressive Liberal Party was consistent with its failing strategy to counter with a last-minute similar event. The FNM crowd on R M Bailey Park easily outnumbered the PLP gathering by double or closer to triple fold,” he said.

Mr Smith said the Bahamian people are so disgruntled, disgusted and disappointed with the PLP government, and that there is a tremendous movement for change.

“It magically and emotionally mirrors 1992 when the FNM ushered in a new day in The Bahamas and rid our country of oppression, victimisation, corruption and an uncertain economy,” he said.

He said that Dr Minnis’ and the party’s message of real change is resonating with the people.

“He rose with a spirit of determination and discipline, sharpened his smarts and with a quality education became a prominent, competent and caring medical doctor and successful businessman. Minnis’ poor and humble beginnings, which he has never forgotten, allows him to so passionately identify with the struggles and plight of the Bahamian people. The man works with an energy of strategic excellence; wanting only what is best for Bahamians.’

Mr Smith is confident that Dr Minnis will make Bahamians proud as the chief change agent of this generation and a new Bahamas.

“I have had the humbling privilege to work with or to closely observe every Prime Minister in an independent Bahamas. Sadly, Prime Minister Christie is now only a shadow of himself. Minnis is capable, fit and qualified to lead our Bahamas. The Bahamian people have developed a connection with Hubert Minnis and I hold every confidence they will join hearts, heads and hands with him on May 10, 2017,” Mr Smith said.